This 2019 Year's June Event is
an ABT PRIME Tournament
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
2 VIP SEATS AT DANCING WITH THE STARS!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE FORMAT OF THE EVENTS?
For the ABT main (Open, Advanced & Intermediate): double elimination, progressive consolation. Means two chances to win, three chances to cash! All finals are on Sunday. For the Masters, Amateur & Super Jackpots: High equity, single elimination. Re-buys available.
HOW DO DOUBLES WORK?
Doubles starts Thursday night, the same as the evening start of the Masters & Amateur Jackpots. (There is no evening start for the Super Jackpot.) Therefore, if you want to play doubles and either the Masters or Amateur Jackpot, you must register for the early start. Fair warning: for the early start, I have to take a number of players evenly divisible by 8. The first 16 to request early should have no problem getting their requested start time. However, if you are the 17th or 25th, you go on a wait list until i have 7 more. Not fun. Therefore, register early if you want the early jackpot start time. When you register for early start you will get a confirmation email from me telling you whether you are confirmed or if you are on a wait list. Don't have a doubles partner? Want to play doubles for free? Want to play doubles with an elite player? Of course, any two players may make themselves a team. However, if you prefer, we will pair an amateur (intermediate or low advanced player) with a pro (elite/high championship player). The amateur pays the full entry fee + side pool ($300 total). If the team cashes, first $300 goes to the amateur, thereafter 50-50 split. Eligible players email me and I will pair you and notify you of your partner's name & contact info. As soon as you complete registration, email me if you would like to be matched for doubles.
DO YOU ALLOW SANDBAGGING?
Playing below one's level ("sandbagging") will not be allowed. Every registration below Open will be scrutinized. Questionable registrations will be compared to the player’s club standings and certain USBGF rankings. If necessary, the registration will be sent to the tournament's Eligibility Committee for a final decision and the player will be notified. If you are still unsure of your skill level, please visit our Skill Levels page or please call the Tournament Producer, Candace Mayeron, and she will be happy to help you make your decision. 310-422-1646. NOTE: Eligibility standards are not as rigorous for the Jackpots, and many Open players are eligible to play in the Amateur Jackpot. Check with Candace. Gammon Associates West tournaments no longer includes a novice category. Any “novice” will have to play the Intermediate category. You must know the rules of tournament play, including but not limited to the Crawford Rule.
HOW DO I ENTER A SIDE EVENT?
Enter all Side Events (including Doubles) at the tournament. Payment in cash (US dollars) only.
HOW DO I PAY MY
FEES?
Fees paid to Gammon Associates West (Entry, ABT and Registration fees) may be paid through Zelle, check in the mail, or cash at the event. Due to new tax reporting requirements, we no longer accept Paypal or Venmo. All U.S. bank accounts and some credit unions offer Zelle. Sign up for Zelle at www.zellepay.com. It's fast, easy, and always free! Make your Zelle payment to Candace Mayeron, PipGal@ca.rr.com. Mail checks postmarked by Nov 30th to: Candace Mayeron, GAMMON ASSOCIATES WEST, 8601 Falmouth Ave #417, Playa del Rey, CA 90293.
IS USBGF MEMBERSHIP REQUIRED?
USBGF membership is required of all players in ABT tournaments, including overseas players. Players MUST join or renew before the tournament begins. Go to www.usbgf.org.
HOW DOES THE NEW SUPER JACKPOT WORK?
The Super Jackpot ($1200 entry fee, $300 side pool) has only the early start time. Thus, if you play the Super Jackpot and you wish to play the Masters you must take the evening Masters and you will not be able to play Doubles. Bottom line, among the Super Jackpot, Jackpot and Doubles you may play any two of the three but not all three.
WHY IS IT CRITICAL I REGISTER EARLY?
There are four reasons, all to your benefit: (1) To complete your registration, you MUST have a current USBGF membership BEFORE THE TOURNAMENT BEGINS. Many of you do not, either because you've never joined or your membership needs to renew. This process can take time, plus we cannot enter you into the Tournament Software until you are active. (2) We run the high-equity jackpots (Masters and Amateur) on Thursday. There is an EARLY start at 1:00/1:30PM and a LATE start at 7:00/7:30PM. We cannot give out byes in the Early or we would have to later adjust all equities. Thus, I must have a number evenly divisible by 8 for the Early. That means after the 16th registrant, the 17th gets wait-listed until I have 24. Not fun and it might not open up. (3) We run the Doubles Thursday night. This means you must obtain an Early spot if you wish to play Doubles in addition to one of the Jackpots. (4) We run a Calcutta for Open & Advanced. Patrick starts the groupings two weeks prior to the event. We need the names to balance the Calcutta groups fairly. (A Calcutta is an auction of the players which generates additional prize money.)
WHAT ARE THE REGISTRATION FEES?
Open -11pts- $400 (Side Pool $150) Advanced -9pts- $200 (Side Pool $100) Intermediates -7pts- $120 Masters Jackpot -11pts- $500 (Side Pool $150) Amateur Jackpot -9pts- $240 (Side Pool $80) Super Jackpot -13pts- $1200 (Side Pool $300) Speedgammon -5pts- $100 (Side Pool $50) Wonder Woman -7pts- $50 Juniors or Seniors -7pts- $50 DMP -1pt- $20 BLITZ -5pts- $40 Registration fee is $30. Registrations submitted after Nov 30th are $50 ABT Fee $10.
I LIVE OUTSIDE THE U.S.
HOW CAN I PAY?
Deposits are optional for overseas residents including Canada. If you have a US bank account, you likely have Zelle. If you have not yet signed up for Zelle, go to zellepay.com. Any player may pay with U.S. cash at the event.
WHAT IS THE COVID POLICY?
At the time of this writing (August 2024) masks will not be required in the ballroom. Any player exhibiting symptoms will have his/her temperature taken digitally, non-contact. Players with a temperature over 99 or who refuse to have their temperature taken, forfeit the tournament with no refund of fees. If you are sick or think you are sick, stay home. All staff will meet the same requirements and be under the same conditions as the players. These protocols may change if new variants surface. This section will always have up-to-date information. Guests of players are very welcome, but they must conform to the same protocols before they enter the playing room.
